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Neat & Tidying

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How many of you have heard about this book? The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. I read it while I was on Bald Head Island and found it quite fascinating. Several people recommended it to me knowing how much I love organization and decluttering (see my Home Neat Home pages for proof!). But even as a super organized person, I learned so much from the author, Marie Kondo. 

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Kondo talks a lot about her childhood and how she spent hours organizing her stuff along with her family and friends’ stuff. While I think she is much more of a tidying enthusiast than I am, I could totally relate to this. I used to rearrange my room weekly trying to find the perfect arrangement, and I loved to help my friends clean their rooms. I still love to clean and organized people’s kitchens! As a young adult, I was always looking for the best way to organize my things. (If you love organizing too, check out one of my favorite blogs!) My lightbulb moment happened just as I was reading about Kondo’s in her story – if you have to organize a lot you have too much stuff. 

I am an odd cross between a minimalist on the outside and a pack rat on the inside. In other words, my house is void of clutter but inside every dresser/cabinet/container you’ll find lots of “might need this somedays” tucked away. For example: I have about 3 umbrellas more than I would ever need at one time. So I had some work to do.

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In Kondo’s method, first you must go through every item in your home, hold it in your hands and ask yourself if it brings you joy. If you hesitate at all, it probably needs to go in the donate pile.

For the longest time I’ve done a similar process with my stuff. But instead of asking if it brings me joy, my question was: “Will I miss this if it’s gone?” Turns out I’ve been asking the wrong question my whole life! This was especially true with my clothes. I keep so many things out of guilt. Guilt that I didn’t wear it enough and get my money’s worth or guilt that someone gave it to me and I never loved it. When I asked Kondo’s joy question to my clothes, I was finally able to see clearly what needed to stay and what needed to go.

My closet can breathe!!!!!

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I LOVED reading her chapter on the best ways to store things. As organized as she is, I am certain her way is the best way without question. Kondo recommends storing things vertically. This hadn’t crossed my mind before because vertical rows fall over easier, but it sure looks neater! Mazen’s clothes are now vertical, and it’s much easier to pick out his outfits for the day when I can see everything at once.

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My clothes aren’t doing as well because I have so few per drawer in some cases! But I’m trying. You all are probably glad to hear I’m folding my clothes now instead of stuffing them in drawers : ) Laundry is taking me more time, but it does make me feel happier.

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I love the idea that one should only own as much as her closet/house can fit. If something comes in and you’re out of space, then something else must go out. Take my shoe storage for example – there isn’t room for more. I have 4 pairs of boots (brown, black, snow and cowboy) and I really don’t need duplicate colors. Same with my heels – I have nude, black and denim and they are all super comfortable. No need for any more, and that keeps my closet feeling airy. If I have too many choices of anything – shoes, dresses, bathing suites, jewelry – I just end up wearing my favorites.

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Another lightbulb moment: store things where you can see them. I had all of my make-up reserves hidden in a chest with lots of drawers. I could never remember what was in what drawer. So I took some Birchbox boxes and moved it all to this wide drawer so I can see everything at a glance. (I probably need to also go through this and weed out anything I haven’t used in a year!)

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Other parts of my house were pretty organized to begin with, but I’ve made small tweaks here and there. Moving was actually a huuuuge cleansing process for me because I wanted all of our storage chests to fit things perfectly. So I only kept what I really loved. I was “Konmarie-ing” it without knowing it! I also always empty my car and purse when I come home, so that was another thing I was glad to read Kondo and I have in common :  )

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I highly recommend the book for everyone! My mom read it and has been downsizing her stuff much more efficiently. It’s an easy read, and will make you think. The whole time I was reading it away from home my mind would drift to certain things in my house that I wanted to go home and donate immediately. I’m glad I wasn’t home or I might never have finished the book too distracted by my things!

Kondo ends the book with a chapter that connects the state of your house with the state of your life. I can 100% say that they are connected for me, and the older I get the more simplified my house’s systems become. Most people accumulate more stuff with age. While we have more furniture and general categories of things than we did 5 years ago (like baby stuff), my house actually feels the most organized it’s been. Fresh air all around!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I can definitely relate to this post. My room is in definite need of some organization and cleaning. I find that when I am particularly tired or overwhelmed, it’s harder to keep my clothes, shoes, accessories, in order. There are some good tips though that you shared from this book.

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  2. Sounds like an interesting read! When we purchased our house, I decided to store most of my non-hanging clothes in open cubbies and it has worked so well! By using the square cube shaped bookcases from Home Depot or Lowe’s, I can store shorts, jeans, tshirts, and sweaters in the open cubes and I stack them vertically. It is so easy to see what I have to wear vs. just seeing what’s on top in a drawer. It helps me remember items and diversify my wardrobe! For sock, undies, and bras, I bought fabric cubes that slide into the squares to store them. I do think I’m guilty of holding onto clothes for too long “just in case”. I’m pregnant right now though so I think I’ll wait til I give birth to do a closet purge so I can see what fits! I do struggle with gifts given to us by our family though. We received some ugly gifts over the years and I know if I get rid of them, my MIL will inevitably ask where they are so we just have them taking up space in a drawer right now.

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  3. Huh, interesting way of thinking of things(the reflection of your house as the state of your life!) I want to read this book now, I especially like how she puts things in perspective with those thoughtful questions.

    Ther than that I couldddddd hire a housemaid 🙂

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  4. I am NOT an organized person. I warned my husband when we first moved in together that I was never going to win any clean house award. LOL.

    Maybe if I read this book?

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  5. Oh man I need this book. I love to be organized, but with three girls and a husband who aren’t, it’s hard. It stresses me out daily…

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    • Marie Kondo’s explanation for those feeling overwhelmed by family members who don’t tidy is to just start with yourself and your own things and the “magic” of it is that others will follow suit. She says it much more eloquently – definitely worth the read!

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  6. I just finished listening to the audio book and CANT wait to start! I’m trying to find a full day so I can start discard. I hate stuff, my real problem is putting things back so I hope this method works. I told Matt I was going to pick up each of my items to see if it brings joy and he thought I was a looney. What do men know anyway haha!

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  7. I definitely need to read this book! We have a small house with two little boys and I am constantly feeling like we are overflowing with stuff! I absolutely feel better when things are organized and in their own place! Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I love how you organized your kitchen utensil drawer. I have a huge one in my kitchen and everything is crammed in it. My husband has said multiple times “I can’t find it” when the item is just buried under everything else in the drawer! I think I see a trip to the container store in my future!

    And I love the concept of if there isn’t any more room for your new item then something must go! I need to do that with my shoes!

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  10. I read and loved this book too! I’ve never been a messy person, but I certainly did not share Marie Kondo’s interest in tidying and organizing. I want to do the full KonMari method (tidying by category and organizing afterward) and so far my partner and I have finished the clothes category. We got rid of 10 garbage bags full! And now I am so much more mindful when I shop. We have to move on to books soon, but as book nerds it’s going to be a tough go. I’m most looking forward to tidying my kitchen things and beauty products, but I’m holding off until I reach that category.

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    • I feel the same way. I have heard of this book and recently flipped through it at my local Target. I am not overly neat/organized but I can usually find everything. The idea of reading this book and implementing the suggestions stresses me out and I know I would not be able to maintain it.

      I do admire those that can implement and maintain this organizational method!

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  13. I do not have a problem get rid of, or donating items we no longer need or use. I just really dislike spending a lot of money on garage shelves and storage bins. I think I will use your idea of using boxes we already have. Thank you.

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  14. 1st off….. Would you like to come organize my house?!?????. I’m the stay at home mom who is never at home! I can get my house together if we’re having people over, but with three kids and a husband who are all kinda messy…. There is stuff everywhere! Laundry, sports stuff, you name it! and I totally agree with the comment about the state of one’s house resembles the state of one’s life! Ugh:(

    Think I’ll get the book! Hopefully it won’t end up in the same pile as the other books that I meant to read.????

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  16. Can you please write a post about how you keep your house so clean all the time? I have a very hard time keeping on top of cleaning and tidying our place.

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  17. I’m so glad you read this and wrote about it! Like you I’ve always been super tidy, inside and out, and even more on the minimalist side, but asking yourself if the item gives you joy is a totally different set of criteria! (My old criteria was closer to “Is this useful?”) Like you I found so many items from clothes to electronics (I’m going through each category in her order) that I don’t use and have kept for a variety of reasons – out of sight out of mind/might need one day/liked at one time etc. The hardest part of this book for me is what to do with all the don’t want STUFF! I sent my clothes to thred up and got a good amt back, but the little things like trinkety nicer gifts, or barely used cosmetics. It kills me to throw these out! Goodwill, a local reuse store, and freecycle have been my close friends these last few weeks! It is such a nice feeling giving things space and knowing they all have a reason to be in your home! And also really identify those things you’d like to upgrade/replace as they no longer give you joy!

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    • My mom told me a story about how she took one of my childhood paintings of a wedding to her freecycle place and this woman picked it right up and said “This is so pretty!” and took it home! Such a good example of how something that is not giving us any joy is “another woman’s treasure” : ) I consider donating just spreading the joy. I’ve sent way too many nice things to Goodwill knowing that someone will consider them a big score.

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  21. I definitely need to read this book! I am an organized messy person. The worst of people I say because that means I have piles everywhere of similar things: books, clothing, towels etc.

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  22. This post is definitely a sign I need this book because a friend just recommended it to me about a week ago! I’m getting ready to move back across the country for grad school and I have so much stuff that accumulated through my undergrad years and early twenties. I love the idea of only keeping what brings you joy and if you hesitate it probably needs to be donated. I’ve also kept a lot of things out of guilt because I bought them once and loved them, bought it and never used it, or it was given to me and I felt bad giving it away. Better to let someone who will get joy out of those things have them. I’m ordering the book right now!

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  23. LOVED THIS BOOK! Life changing. I’m not deep into the organizational aspects but the “spark joy” concept has helped me so much. I also marveled at her comments that once people deal with the clutter in their homes, their lives open up in new and unexpected ways, esp. new hobbies and pastimes.

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  24. Ohh this sounds right up my ally! I Will definitely be buying and reading this book – thank you! My mom is moving in July for the first time ever (yes..seriously) and she will need to get rid of some “stuff” – I think a moving present is in order!

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  25. I’ve never been particularly well organized, but moving across the world with just a suitcase helped with that. Sadly, some of the clothing that brings me joy had to stay behind and some purely practical clothing got to come. I don’t need summer clothes when I’m about to go through my second winter of 2015.

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  26. Your post was perfectly timed for me as I am in the process of cleaning out the clutter. It wears on my mind more than I would like to admit and I no longer need that weight in my life. The “spark joy” concept is incredibly helpful, thank you for sharing!

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  27. Does she discuss the difference between organizing and decluttering? To me, organizing is moving stuff around, while decluttering is removing stuff. I recall one of my favorite quotes: if you new to buy stuff to organize your stuff, you might have too much stuff.

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  29. Kath, I LOVE this book! I enjoyed reading about your experiences with tidying too. I have been organizing parts of my condo using her method, and I’m tackling my closet this weekend… eek!

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  30. we are moving on saturday (from ruckersville to waynesboro where we just bought a house!). me thinks it’s a good time to read this. i’m already 100% times more tidy than i was when i worked a full-time job but cleaning and organizing have become an addiction. always room for improvement!

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  33. First – your pictures make me really want to go home and start labeling boxes/organizing.
    Second – I just happened to make your oatmeal pancake single serve recipe this morning and it was DELICIOUS!! Thanks for that 😉

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  36. Kaaaaathhh!!!! But I was so validated when I read you were stuffing PJs and such drawers/bins! I came to start that, um, method, when I left work a couple of years ago to be a SAHM and started doing all the laundry for the family. I am eager to read Marie’s book – sounds excellent! – but I think I might continue my stuffing method for PJs & workout clothes. Honestly, at nearly 40 years old, not giving AF about folded pajamas brings me joy. :)))

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    • Hahahah I love you! I still stuff a few things (ahem workout gear) and who knows in time I might go back to stuffing it all!

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  38. I liked her book too. Parts of it I skimmed, which made it an extra quick read.
    What seems to be working for me, in addition to decluttering is deciding what is enough, and then sticking with it. It is also works for me as a huge way to save money. For example, I have 6 necklaces, 8 earrings, one ring, one bracelet. I love them all, and that is enough. Adding more won’t increase my happiness. So I haven’t bought any jewelry for 4 years. When it occasionally pops into my head that I want to buy a pair of earrings, I remember what I have at home and my decision that it was enough. It is a relief to have many kind of shoppings categories off limits.

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  40. I just bought the book today at Barnes and Noble 30% off! Hopefully I’ll actually use it in my life!

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  42. I have that book on my to read list. It sounds fascinating. I think it might stress me out about how much stuff we have. Like you my house is super organized but there is stuff everywhere. Way more than we really need. The joy question kind of scares me – I am going to say bye bye to many many things.

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  43. I think I’m going to read this book. We have been decluttering for a few years now and it is incredibly freeing. I love it when I find myself with spare organizing bins. I did go through my winter wardrobe a couple of weeks ago and asked myself with each item if it brought joy. I started out with probably 10 scarves and narrowed them down to four. Our babysitter was over watching the kids while I did this and she was delighted to take several of my discarded items home. In the end, I was able to fit my entire winter wardrobe, save for jeans, which are really year-round attire, and outerwear, into one drawer (scarves, gloves, sweaters) in my closet. I do have a couple of lighter long-sleeved shirts hanging up to wear throughout the year, but the strictly-winter items fit into one drawer. I also weeded out all of my purses and kept just two.

    Regarding stuffing things in drawers, I think there can be a balance. I stuff my boys’ clothes (ages 2 and 4) into their drawers as they empty their drawers 8,429 times a week and folding is not a good use of time. That said, I fold or hang the rest of our clothes because they will stay that way. 🙂 I say do whatever best suits your lifestyle now.

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  44. I’m much like you – fairly simple and organized, but reading the book for that extra boost in the right direction. I’m about halfway through, but seriously having a hard time taking it seriously. Thanking your clothes? Telling your off-season clothes you look forward to wearing them again? All this communication with inanimate objects is too much for me. I’ll finish it, hit doubtful I’ll ever recommend it. I’m surprised you didn’t give mention to any of the oddness.

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    • I didn’t take that part to seriously. I think she might mean literally but I took it more figuratively.

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